Illini end slide, down Iowa

Monday

Feb 27, 2012 at 12:01 AMFeb 27, 2012 at 8:28 PM

Leonard, Paul come off the bench to lead Illinois.

John Supinie

That's one in a row for Illinois basketball.
After holding stars Meyers Leonard and Brandon Paul accountable by benching them to start the game after a series of competitive drills in practice, the Illini ended a six-game losing streak with a 65-54 win over resurgent Iowa in a Big Ten Conference game Sunday.
"This is just a start, hopefully,'' said Illini coach Bruce Weber.
For one evening, the mood changed. The fans were hassling the refs instead of heckling Weber. The Illini improved to 17-12 overall and remained ninth in the Big Ten with a 6-10 record after winning for the second time in the last 11 games.
But if Weber can find a way at this late date to motivate his two best players, Illinois could take one more shot at an NCAA berth in the next two weeks, beginning with senior night against Michigan Thursday (6 p.m., ESPN).
"The last couple weeks, we were having talks, 'C'mon guys, we've got to change. Blah, blah, blah,' '' Paul said. "This time, we put our words into action. If we stick together, we can accomplish anything.''
It's easier if Leonard plays like that. After sitting for the first 4 minutes, he matched a career high with 22 points while also grabbing 14 rebounds and blocking two shots. With all repsect to Iowa guard Matt Gatens (22 points 5 of 6 from the 3-point line), Leonard was the best player on the floor -- once he reached the floor.
Leonard and Paul didn't start because they weren't the most productive on the practice court.
"At the beginning of the week, coach Weber said we'd have all competitive drills,'' Leonard said. "They kept track of wins and losses Unfortunately, me and Brandon weren't at the top of the charts. They made it tough on us, no doubt about it.''
Leonard entered the game with some motivation.
"Not starting, it doesn't really have an affect on the game overall,'' Leonard said. "For energy and kind of lighting a fire under me, it did.''
Without Leonard and Paul (17 points on 5 of 9 shooting), the Illini don't have a chance, so perhaps that was Weber's way of holding them accountable. Weber wouldn't go there.
"I didn't think anything,'' Weber said. "This was the deal. If you can't come to practice and compete, you shouldn't start. The other guys should start. That's the only thing I thought about. If it was a good thing, I guess I'm smart.''
Once Leonard and Paul entered the game at the first TV timeout, the Illini went on an 16-3 run and never trailed again. The closest Iowa got was 38-34.
From there, the Illini showed some of the energy and defense that was missing for much of February. During the six-game losing streak, teams shot 54 percent and averaged 76 points a game against the Illini. Iowa (15-14, 7-9) was held to 36.7 percent while losing 17 turnovers.
Take away Gatens' shooting, the rest of the Hawkeyes were 12 of 38 against an aggressive Illini defense. The crowd even loved it, and Weber went into a dance when Paul logged one of his three charges taken.
"That's what we are,'' Weber said. "That's what we should have been and forgot about it. We forgot our identity. I did, too.
"Some say we're horrible on offense. We can win games. That's what we're going to try to do.''
Weber even showed more emotion, pumping his fist and even running near midcourt during a timeout to greet his team.
"If I can't bring spirit, who can,'' Weber said. "I got to be who I am. They've got to be who they area. It might not be pretty.''
Said Paul: "He was on the court so much, he might have guarded Gatens for one play.''
NOTES: Prior to the game, guard D.J. Richardson was honored as the 45th player in Illini history to score 1,000 points. He entered the game with 1,001 and scored 12. Paul entered with 998. . .
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnSupinie.
Illinois report card
Front court -- D
Tyler Griffey and Nnanna Egwu, the starters, weren't effective. Egwu played 4 minutes, had two fouls and never returned. Griffey was 1 of 6 from the field.
Back court -- C-
D.J. Richardson had 12 points, but starters Tracy Abrams and Joe Bertrand struggled.
Bench -- A+
Behind Leonard, Paul and Sam Maniscalco, the Illini found something from the bench. Leonard for sixth man of the year? Not going to work.
Overall -- A
Illinois overcame a bad month to find some pride to down the Hawkeyes. The challenge will be tougher in the season's final two Big Ten games.

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